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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

Original poster

Low AMH and IVF

13 replies

Newnamenewname109870 · 07/02/2023 11:51

Hi there I’m new to all of this and would love some advice.

we have secondary infertility which is so far unexplained but I do have quite low amh levels. Has anyone experienced this and how successful is ivf? I’m also questioning ivf in general because of the cost and because infertility is unexplained.

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Original poster
Newnamenewname109870 · 07/02/2023 11:51

We’ve been trying around 15 months

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Original poster
Newnamenewname109870 · 07/02/2023 11:55

We’re also struggling to decide when to do ivf if we do. We don’t know how long to keep trying. I get the impression the clinic just want the money from ivf and haven’t done much investigating so how do you know when it’s time?

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Laur0606 · 07/02/2023 12:12

Hi, I have had the same diagnosis secondary infertility and then consequently found low amh for my age. We decided after 18months to get the ball rolling with ivf and we are currently in our 2ww after our first cycle. It’s been about 21-22 months since we first started trying for a sibling. With our daughter, we conceived the first month.

IVF is physically, mentally and financially hard. I was on high stimulation due to the amh (so 3 injections a day) and seen as a poor responder to IVF (only 5 eggs collected) all from my left ovary. No idea why my right didn’t respond or if this is linked with why my amh is low, if only one ovary is working?

Amazingly 3 eggs fertilised and 2 got to day 5 blastocyst, one is safely back inside me and one has been frozen. Me and my husband felt we had to try everything possible so we knew in our hearts we tried everything to give our daughter a sibling. I wouldn’t do another fresh round of ivf regardless of the outcome as I feel getting to each stage was a struggle personally with the amh. Hoping we will get our happy ever after with this round or our frozen embryo.

Not sure if this helps?

Anonbaby · 07/02/2023 12:42

Hi @Laur0606 may I ask your age and AMH? I am really struggling to decide on ivf for secondary infertility and it’s got a third baby I should add. I can’t decide whether to give it a go so I know in my heart I’ve tried everything and therefore don’t regret it later. I’m worried about getting lots and lots of embryos (I know it sounds crazy) but at my clinic you have to pay for each FET and they don’t do packages.

how did you find the ivf process? We have been TTC a third for 2 years now with no problems previously x

Laur0606 · 07/02/2023 14:10

Hi @Anonbaby my amh was 7 at age 29. I was told that my level is normally seen once you are early 40s.

Physically I have found it ok, I’ve been lucky that I haven’t had many side effects and bounced back from surgery quickly.

It has been emotionally very stressful, at first I didn’t have many follicles so we were told to expect 3 eggs at best. I felt huge stress prior to the surgery and for the 5 days waiting to see if the embryos reached blastocyst stage.

I’ve taken some time off from work but I don’t think I could have carried on as normal as it took all my focus. I’ve also had to rely on family for childcare for my daughter and you probably don’t rest as much when you do ivf with already children at home.

I am 3 days post a 5 day transfer so still have a lot of waiting to do until test day on the 17th to know whether it’s been worth it.

Have you had many investigations? I had to have a Hycosy procedure to check if I had previous scarring from an emergency section, although that came back fine.

Anonbaby · 07/02/2023 14:17

@Laur0606 thanks for your reply. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.

we’ve had lots of investigations. My AMH is 19 and follicle count has been between 13-24. I have had a HSG as I also have had a previous (planned section). They seem quite confident it’s not a female side issue although I am 35 now but they don’t seem to think that’s an issue.

my husband has had a few SA and the last one was poor but the others have been fine so we’re not sure at the moment if it’s male factor or if that was just a blip but it’s been 2 years now so we have ruled out it happening without ivf but it’s whether we bite the bullet and try it x

Original poster
Newnamenewname109870 · 07/02/2023 16:25

Thank you so much for your response @Laur0606 you actually sound like me in every way! One child already who we conceived on month 1, only recently aged 30 and my amh was 7 too! I also had a previous section and am having hycosy check.

What frustrates me a little as the clinic as very pro ivf and didn’t really tell me about side effects or anything, which is frustrating as I know that in fact it is a big deal.

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Original poster
Newnamenewname109870 · 07/02/2023 16:26

Actually any advice for the hycosy? I’m so scared :(

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Laur0606 · 07/02/2023 20:36

Thank you @Anonbaby. Hopefully if you decide to proceed with IVF you will get lots of eggs with a great amh and follicle count.

Wow that is weird @Newnamenewname109870. I haven’t come across anyone the same as me yet. It is a big deal, try and talk it through with lots of doctors, we spoke to 3 in the end and they all stressed that my fertility window would be shorter than the next persons and if we wanted to try ivf, sooner was better than later. I was devastated to begin with though and cried down the phone to the nurses. It felt surreal that this was now our journey after falling pregnant so easily before.

I was worried before the hycosy but it wasn’t bad. Uncomfortable with the speculum but only had a sharp period pain when they put the dye down, the pain was over very quickly.

Original poster
Newnamenewname109870 · 07/02/2023 22:13

Laur0606 · 07/02/2023 20:36

Thank you @Anonbaby. Hopefully if you decide to proceed with IVF you will get lots of eggs with a great amh and follicle count.

Wow that is weird @Newnamenewname109870. I haven’t come across anyone the same as me yet. It is a big deal, try and talk it through with lots of doctors, we spoke to 3 in the end and they all stressed that my fertility window would be shorter than the next persons and if we wanted to try ivf, sooner was better than later. I was devastated to begin with though and cried down the phone to the nurses. It felt surreal that this was now our journey after falling pregnant so easily before.

I was worried before the hycosy but it wasn’t bad. Uncomfortable with the speculum but only had a sharp period pain when they put the dye down, the pain was over very quickly.

Was this private or nhs? We’re private and the doctor said it all really quickly and it wasn’t very clear. Did you speak to lots at the same clinic?
It does feel a bit strange and surreal

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Laur0606 · 07/02/2023 22:27

@Newnamenewname109870 This was private with CRGW. Yes all the doctors were based there but we had a few consultations over so many months before we decided to proceed.

MrsDrambuie · 07/02/2023 23:41

I had unexplained infertility prior to DC1, had a HSG then got pregnant in that cycle - aged 34 by that point. Then tried for 2 years for a 2nd baby and went through fertility investigations including another HSG - no issues. AMH 1.8 aged 38, so I was on maximum drugs and had to be prepared that zero eggs may be a possibility. Got 4 eggs, 3 of them fertilised successfully, by day 3 only 2 were strong and as I was 38 the clinic had already agreed to putting in 2… We got our DC2 🥰

IVF for secondary infertility is quite different to trying for a first child. For 1 thing, you know your body can get pregnant and carry a baby because you’ve done it before. Secondly, as you are running around after a child already you simply don’t have time to dwell on things too much, you just have to do your injections and get on with your day.

Good luck to you 💐

Original poster
Newnamenewname109870 · 08/02/2023 07:09

MrsDrambuie · 07/02/2023 23:41

I had unexplained infertility prior to DC1, had a HSG then got pregnant in that cycle - aged 34 by that point. Then tried for 2 years for a 2nd baby and went through fertility investigations including another HSG - no issues. AMH 1.8 aged 38, so I was on maximum drugs and had to be prepared that zero eggs may be a possibility. Got 4 eggs, 3 of them fertilised successfully, by day 3 only 2 were strong and as I was 38 the clinic had already agreed to putting in 2… We got our DC2 🥰

IVF for secondary infertility is quite different to trying for a first child. For 1 thing, you know your body can get pregnant and carry a baby because you’ve done it before. Secondly, as you are running around after a child already you simply don’t have time to dwell on things too much, you just have to do your injections and get on with your day.

Good luck to you 💐

Thank you for your kind words. I agree it’s so much better having it second time round. I hate the uncertainty and worry I haven’t got much time

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